Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions and a new theory of causation raised by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for ratings greater than 20 percent for right ankle degenerative joint disease, and granted initial 20 percent and 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy respectively.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates related to the Veteran's spinal conditions, sciatic radiculopathy, and scar. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for left knee disabilities.

The appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings and service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in December 2018, and the effective date of his subsequent successful claims was set at April 3, 2020. The Board found that the claim to reopen was not timely filed within one year of the denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA examinations and medical opinions were not adequate, and a new examination is required.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve pain, effective July 4, 2021. Service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her child, M.J., to her VA disability compensation award is granted as April [REDACTED], 2020. This decision is based on the birth of her daughter within one year and the continuation of her existing disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for a back brace, left ankle brace, and left knee brace in 2021 due to insufficient evidence of damage to clothing. The claim for menthol camphor gel topical medication was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hammer toe, pes planus, and gout.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's hypertension was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims of degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine and Sciatica of the Left Lower Extremity, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated as a separate condition.,For sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran receives a 20 percent rating based on moderately severe incomplete paralysis. For sciatic pain of the right lower extremity, he receives a 40 percent rating for the same severity level.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition or any initial rating above 10 percent for either lower extremity radiculopathy.